Attached are pictures of my one of my latest acquisitions. Please provide your opinion as to age, origin, and rarity. This is the first “Hunting Piece” I’ve owned. Blade is 23.5” from crossguard to tip. Bluing is a little crude but in good shape. This piece has suffered from years of neglect in a basement. The leather is dry, the tip of the blade is rusty, and the skinning knife is missing, but still not bad for my first one of these. I lucked out and bought this piece, a 1st. Luft., and a Model 1889 sword from an older gentleman that lives across the street from me. Any information you guys provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Al

another photo

another...

side view

The lot....

P.S. See the restoration forum for close up of the 1st. Luft. It has some issues..

Alfred
It's a tough one to call on it's age for me anyway as I tend not to collect this type of Hirschfänger, my best guess would be mid 19th century but it could be 30 years either way I suspect,the bluing on these early pieces is never quite what you might expect, but it seems looking at your piece that it is still in good shape, very dark which is nice to see. I'm surprised to see the leather in that shape a lot are even worse so I don't think it's to bad. Finding the skinning knife still with something of this age is very rare so again it's not the end of the world. Sorry I could not be of much help but I think you have a very nice early hirschfänger.

Cheers

Gary

Thanks Gary